Measuring the interpersonal component of the mentoring relationship: The mentorship working alliance scale - mentee version.

Introduction: The interpersonal and relational dimensions of mentoring have been identified as critical components of effective mentorship. However, no scale currently exists to assess this specific aspect of the relationship. This study introduces a new instrument, the mentorship working alliance (MWA) - mentee version, and presents initial evidence supporting its validity in evaluating the interpersonal elements of mentoring relationships.

Methods: Through a series of pilot tests and revisions, we developed a 12-item scale that assesses two dimensions of the MWA: relational quality (6 items), which captures how a mentee feels about the relationship, and relational effectiveness (6 items), which reflects the mentee's perception of their mentor's actions in facilitating or advancing the working relationship. To evaluate the scale's construct validity and reliability, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and internal consistency reliability analysis on a sample of 345 graduate students.

Results: CFA provided evidence for the validity of the two-dimensional MWA scale, which assesses relational quality and relational effectiveness, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.96 and 0.89, respectively. All parameter estimates for individual items were significant, with standardized factor loadings ranging from 0.66 to .83.

Conclusions: The MWA scale - mentee version enables researchers to assess the interpersonal dimensions of mentoring relationships, offering valuable insights into the components of effective mentorship. By introducing this scale, we pave the way for further investigation into how mentorship interventions influence the MWA, thereby enhancing the overall quality of mentoring experiences. Additionally, we offer recommendations for future studies.